When I last wrote I was getting ready to run 3100 miles in NYC. I failed miserably, I only ran 2014 miles. “Ran” is a loose term. I probably walked 500-600 of those miles and most of the rest were a slow shuffle.

I have been recovering. I have started training again. I hope to keep this blog up as I attempt to run/train myself back in shape, and eventually race well.

Word came out last week that there will be no Across the Years 24/48/72 hour races in 2009. I was hoping to go again, and perhaps be ready for a stab at 300 miles. It appears that the enormous, and well appreciated, work that goes into this event by the race committee takes its toll. It is time for a rest.

There are those who speculate that a one year off will turn into an event that no longer exists. I don’t think so. I know the people on the committee. If they wanted to end the event they would say so. I take them at their word, and expect a one year hiatus.

Meanwhile I continue to work on 24 hour performances, and in the realm of 300 miles I’ve begun to consider the Vol State Roadrace in July. http://runvb2vb.com/VolState/index.html 310 miles across Tennessee, the long way, from the northwest corner to the southeast. The nice thing there, I’m not limited to 72 hours. They give us 10 days.

Boy did I fall asleep at the switch. I missed the first of the SC Trail Ultra Series events. I wasn’t doing anything that day either. Sure I had run Strolling Jim in Wartrace, Tennessee the day before, and Lake Waramaug the previous Sunday, but I wasn’t doing ANYTHING the day they ran the Buncomb Trail without me.

I have only myself to blame. In looking to train more, and spend less time on the computer I had not checked the site yet. http://ultrasontrails.com/ I would have liked to run there, especially since the next event, the Chattooga River 50K was a blast last year, yet I’ll be away running a 24 hour on that day, and the next event, the FATS Forty 40/50 will find me away at yet another 24 hour.

That Leaves the Harbison Forest 50K right here in my own back yard on November 8th as the only potential event I will run this year. Terri Hayes, the race director for this series, has done a great job growing ultras in South Carolina. The best way to say thanks is to run, or volunteer at one of her events. I may have to do both at Harbison.